Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-21
THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
Second Days Session of the Meeting at
Shelburn.

Second Days Session of the Meeting at
Shelburn.
The second and closing days sessions of
the State Board of Agriculture at Shell
burn were very well attended especially
from Shelburn and the towns Immediately
adjoining The day, though cold, was
fine, and many farmers drove in, with
their families, to attend the meetings
Among the representative men present
were eX-Gov Barstow, Hon. Walter A.
Weed, Prof. W. a. Deering of the Univer.
slty and Judge Smith of South Burling-
ton, Mr.. A. Taylor, Messrs Miller and
| Tracy of Shelburn, and others. Mr.. X. j.
White presided. =
The morning session opened shortly at
ter 10 o'clock, with practical and valu 81
able paper on Fruit Culture" by II.
H. Hill of Isle La Motto Mr.. Hill
said that he should coufne
| himself to the results of his
own experience in his orchard of Is
acres in Isle La Motto, and should not ad-
vance anything learned from books. Yet
| he said, there are some general principles
which obtain in ali fruit growing. Notice
the proximity of all great fruit growing
districts to a body of water. II you will
consult the map of our country, you will
see that our peach and grape growing
sections, our apple, pear and plum dis
]
sea, or inland lakes or rivers. Vineyards
and orchards in such sections, if well
cared for, are provided with dark, dense
green foliage, which absorbs the moisture
and gases necessary for growth We con.
clude, then, that the nearer orchards are
to the moisture of natures great reser-
vOirs, the better the results in fruit grow.
| ing.
| For The better absorption of atmospheric
moisture, the cultivation which is given
an orchard is to a large extent, the
measure of the fruit growers success
The more the soil is stirred and fertilIZed
the better the results. Cultivation in
creases the soils power of absorbing, and
enables it to utilize the atmospheric mois-
ture, gases and light.
Why not, then, it may be asked, plant
our orchards on moist land This would
not provide the atmospheric elements
most necessary to growth-sinply that of
water and would be destructive to the
health OF the young trees.
The most favorable soil for an orchard
is loan of clay and sand Wherever
originally beech and maple timber grew
1t is safe to plant orchards. AS rule the
soil should not be too rocky. | think 1t
one of the worst practices to allow grass
to grow in an orchard, or such crops as
oats or wheat Grass needs more moisture
than any crop that grows. In an orchard
it absorbs all the light rain and dews at
twentleths of the young stock set out
under these conditions die, from
drought Thorough cultivation for an
orchard is very important, in order that
the soil may be kept light and porous, and
retain all its absorbing power, There is
no particular objection to soil which is
quite gravelly.
Apple ices should be set not nearer
to each other than 30 feet-better IS pear
trees not less than % feet apart-better 30
The blotchlng and cracking of pears is due
to lack OF trimming and thinning out
AS arule, anything hat checks the growth
of the fruit is IA cause of blotch. Shading
is one cause of blotch in pears and also in
apples. When the trees are properly
trimmed foliage should be induced to
grow as rank and fresh as possible, by
cultivation. 1t should also be protected
from the ravages of pests of all kinds
The best way to destroy the latter Is by
spraying with London purple Orchards
should be sprayed two or three times dur
ing the season. Drive between the rows
OF trees with IA barrel containing the proper
solution of London purple, and spray on
both sides. The proper solution is one
pound of purple to 30 gallons of water, or
about barrelfull. 1t will prove effective
against all these pests. Spray diagonally
upward with spray pump or spray noz-
zle. The insects are generally on The un.
der side of the leaf, or on the stem. Trees
Z
ground, so tnat team can be worked up
to them without interfering with the
limbs.
In the MAJ keting of fruit care should he
taken that there Is no waste. All number
one fruit should be properly packed and
sold IN the green state. Number two
fruit is seldom called for 1t is best dis
posed of by evapUrating all of sufficient
size.
Work in the orchard is the peasantest
work on the farm. II pleases the sight
the taste and the smell-and offers in an
ticipation IA well-tilled purse. 1t is one of
the most profitable farm emplovments we
can engage in. Nothing we could pro-
vide Tor ourselves furnishes such interest
when we are getting along in age and are
unable to follow the plow or TO hoe corn
as to have a good orchard to attend to. 1t
Is an inducement to get out and take the
proper exercise in old age; and it requires
less work to get the profit ont of il than
any other kind of farm work.
do not anticipate any danger that fruit
culture will be neglected. There L. Il
great and growing European demand
The American apple is acknowledged to
be the best in the world There will al
ways be a foreign demand for our fruit
and so no fear of over production.
As regards Young stock, many blame
the fruit agents for the tsilure of Young
trees, when it is really due to their own
neglect. But of course there are some
men who will put off worthless stock on
farmers. Buy of none but reliable partir 5
and buy nothing but number one stock.
Buy as near home as possible. Acclimat-
iZing OF fruit stock is IA very important
consideration In setting out stock first
"suuare on the lot with wood measure
| Stick stake in every place you want n
| tree. Use gauge to straighttn the rows
running the other way When the roots OF
stock are mangled take sharp knife and
cut of the maugled end with Il long,
slahting cut on the lower side Care and
time should be taken III setting to yet the
/ roots in as natural Il position as possible
y pail of water helps pack the soil around
| the roots. Lean each tree ABOUT FIX de
grtes against the prevailing winds
| Mulchlng after setting with some coarse
manure is important. Pack to depth of
two inches, aud poke away from the body
of the tree. Protection from mice is Sc
cured by the use of tar paper.
| All small apples from the orchard
should he made INTO cider and that into
apple ielly ApDle Jelly can be made very